UK Political Parties Expand Digital Campaigns

22nd Sep 13:31

Following the launch of TechUK's digital manifesto, the three main UK political parties have expanded their digital campaign messages.

Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats spoke at the launch of TechUK's digital manifesto - which details how the next government must turn the UK into a digital leader over the next five years.

Ed Vaizey, Conservative MP and minister for the department of Culture, Media and Sport said the conservatives will focus on the UK skills shortage and encourage growth in startups.

He cited the rollout of superfast broadband across the UK as an example of a successful government initiative and said it is on course to deliver its target of coverage to 95% of the UK by 2017.

He added: "I think the Government Digital Service(GDS)is one of the greatest achievements of this government."

Ian Wright, Labour MP and shadow minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, said the UK's appetite for ecommerce proved how comfortable the country is with using its technology.

He added: "It interests me how clear, direct and achievable the recommendations are in the manifesto. There are huge opportunities, not in a distant horizon or a long distance in the future, but now.

He added: "It interests me how clear, direct and achievable the recommendations are in the manifesto. There are huge opportunities, not in a distant horizon or a long distance in the future, but now.

"The prize is immediate if we can grasp it now. But, equally, people in my constituency have never turned on a computer and, if public services are going to be digital by default, how do we make sure no one is left behind?"

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats representative Lord Timothy Clement Jones said the best way to encourage technology startups to grow within the UK is to make sure the the government takes action on providing better access to later-stage finance.

He said the Liberal Democrats will introduce devolution on demand, to give cities great power to ramp up their technology innovations.